The Changing Realm of Latin Jazz

Jazz - When most people consider Latin Jazz, a salsa dance party one thinks of, with hot dance rhythms charging behind jazz harmonies and improvised solos. This is actually looking after with this style - musicians like Tito Puente, Mongo Santamaria, Cal Tjader, and Ray Barretto have gotten people around the oasis for a long time with jazz and Cuban rhythms.

Dance rhythms certainly hold a spot in modern Latin Jazz, however a growing quantity of artists have abandoned the oasis for several cultural and artistic influences. These days, many Latin Jazz musicians integrate rhythmic traditions from your broader spectrum of the Caribbean and Latin america, often blending cultural elements with modern jazz influences.

Grammy awards - Traditional Afro-Peruvian rhythms have played a big part in the expansion of Latin Jazz, bringing rhythmic styles such as the festejo and landó to the style also an even more guitar heavy approach. Guitarist Richie Zellon has combined these traditions with jazz harmonies extensively while trumpet player Gabriel Alegria is promoting a unique approach along with his Afro-Peruvian Sextet.

While stateside Latin Jazz always carried a Puerto Rican influence, it has only recently been that artists have put a distinct emphasis upon the concept of traditional rhythms like bomba and plena supporting jazz contexts. Trombonist Papo Vazquez has utilized his ferocious command of bebop over Puerto Rican rhythms while saxophonist Miguel Zenón has dived deep into plena and classic Puerto Rican songs as a foundation for jazz.

Argentina has always been recognized for it's passionate tango, and several musicians have discovered that music is a natural fit for jazz. Bassist Pablo Aslan has produced a unique language for improvising around tango structures while pianist Pablo Ziegler has continued the work of influential composer Astor Piazzolla having a distinct jazz twist.

Listeners often look at the lush bossa novas of Antonio Carlos Jobim once they consider the blend of Brazilian rhythms and jazz, nevertheless the style has exploded into something much more dynamic. Pianist Jovino Santos Neto has produced upon his long tenure with composer Hermeto Pascoal and developed a highly creative repertoire of original Brazilian jazz while drummer Duduka Da Fonseca has blended the freedom behind a fresh York jazz sensibility with dynamic samba rhythms.

Concert - The dance floor is certainly still a part of Latin Jazz - just listen to the music of Poncho Sanchez or Pete Escovedo for any healthy dose of danceable jazz. The design and style has certainly expanded artistically, reflecting a more encompassing spectrum of Latin traditions and providing listeners an even more diverse experience.